NMSA provides under CEP initiatives - Papua New Guinea National Maritime Safety Authority

The National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) is committed to helping maritime communities where its Lighthouses are located within Papua New Guinea.

NMSA maintains over three hundred aids to navigations (AtoNs) throughout the fifteen (15) Maritime Provinces of the country under its Community Engagement Program (CEP). The communities that have taken their initiative in coming up with tangible projects for their respective communities to benefit as a whole are Kieta/Pokpok community in Central Bougainville, Yabam/Pahilele Islands within Maramatana Local Level Government off East Cape, Milne Bay Province and the Parsee Point Lighthouse Community in Salamaua, Morobe Province.

The Purpose of the CEP is to ensure the lighthouses are maintained and remain operation in collaboration with the communities near the AtoNs so to ensure safe navigation for vessels and general public travelling within the waters of the country.

NMSA is in partnership with the lighthouse communities through the Community Lighthouse Committees (CLC) for security and monitoring of selected lighthouses in the Maritime Provinces.

Funding assistance is provided annually to the CLC for small community projects while at the same time encouraging greater ownership and responsibility on the upkeep of these important maritime navigational aids.

Recently, the community at Buakap village, responsible for security and monitoring of Parsee Point Lighthouse, saw the delivery of materials by the NMSA to the community to assist in the maintenance of existing water supply, to improve the community meeting venue and to maintain general upkeep of the village, local cemetery and the lighthouse site.

Parsee CLC and members of the Buakap Village Community were appreciative of the assistance rendered by the NMSA through its CEP.

CLC Chairman, Mr Thomas Elisha acknowledged the community partnership program and gave assurance that the community will take greater responsibility seeing that this assistance is delivered.

Ward Member, Mr Elisha Ewing reiterated the same and urged the community to look after the vital infrastructure and in ensuring the light continues to serve its purpose.

NMSA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Paul Unas said that he is happy that the organisation is supporting the coastal communities where the lighthouses are located to bring whatever change to their communities and urge the people to respect the light houses.